Thomas Wolsey (1475–1530), Bishop of Wells (1518–1523)

Image credit: The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

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Wolsey was a brilliant statesman, indispensable to the ambitions of King Henry VIII. By 1514 he was appointed Archbishop of York and became Cardinal and Chancellor of England in 1515. Although Bishop of Bath and Wells, he was never consecrated. In 1529 he failed to secure the divorce of Henry from Katherine of Aragon and fell from Royal favour. He died in 1530 before he could face trial for high treason. While Rector of Lymington in Somerset, he was placed in the stocks for offending a neighbour. His illegitimate son, Thomas Wynter, was Dean of Wells. As he died, Wolsey said "if I had served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my grey hairs."

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

Wells

Title

Thomas Wolsey (1475–1530), Bishop of Wells (1518–1523)

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 113 x W 96 cm

Accession number

19

Acquisition method

acquired, after 1829

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD England

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